Bus cuts "appalling" say Dundee councillors

West End City Councillors Michael Crichton and Fraser Macpherson have today slammed proposals by Stagecoach to either axe or reduce the X7, 16, 39 and 73c bus services calling them “simply appalling”. They have written to the company demanding an urgent rethink saying that saving these services is vital for bus connectivity in their West End Ward – mainly in the very fast end of the ward – but also bus links from Dundee to Perth.

Councillor Michael Crichton said:

“These bus proposals by Stagecoach have already rightly produced an outcry from our neighbours across the boundary with Perth and Kinross along the Carse of Gowrie for the devasting impact the cuts will have there. However, there are also serious implications in our West End area of Dundee including the loss of the only bus links left in the very far west end of the Perth Road. Residents there would be left with no bus service at all if these cuts go ahead, a situation that is totally unacceptable."

“Furthermore, the loss of the X7 west of the Seagate Bus Station would remove the link between Royal Victoria Hospital, Ninewells Hospital and Perth Royal Infirmary. The X7 replaced the former 333 bus initiative by NHS Tayside to link the hospitals and so there are significant implications for hospital connectivity and we will be raising this with NHS Tayside at a meeting this week.”

The councillors have written to the Managing Director of Stagecoach East Scotland calling for a rethink but have also asked – and received an assurance from Dundee City Council’s Head of Sustainable Transport and Roads – that the council itself will be making representations about the issue to Stagecoach.

Ward colleague Councillor Fraser Macpherson added :

“Stagecoach has invited comment on its axing and reduction of vital bus services in a very tight timeframe indeed – these must be received by 10th March, which calls into question how real this “consultation” really is. Had there been a more reasonable timescale for consultation, Councillor Crichton and I would have formally sought the support at council committee from all 29 councillors to oppose these changes, but the timeframe simply does not allow for that.”

“I therefore spoke with Dundee City Council’s Head of Sustainable Transport and Roads and got assurances that officer representation will be made to Stagecoach. However, we would, in addition to our own objections, urge constituents to take part in the short-lived consultation and we are pleased to note that the communities in the Carse of Gowrie share our concerns about the negative impact of these bus proposals.”

The two councillors have also written to the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland about this situation.   

Councillor Crichton said:

 “Constituents appreciate this is a private sector proposal over which two affected councils – Perth and Kinross and Dundee City - have limited influence but we have also taken this up with the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland who is responsible for the registration of local bus services.”   

“We would like to see the Office of the Traffic Commissioner for Scotland use its teeth on this really concerning possible loss of vital bus services.”

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